* Gangs of America
Ted Nace's new book sounds like a Fast Food Nation for the Wall Street set; its subtitle is The Rise of Corporate Power and the Disabling of Democracy. Annie Bloom's Books, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy, 246-0053, 7:30 pm, free
Lynell Edwards & Kate Gale
Two poets sound off; Edwards from her new book The Farmer's Daughter, and Gale from her oppression-themed anthology Fishers of Men. Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, 284-1726, 7 pm, free
* Pete Dexter
See review this issue. Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 238-1668, 7:30 pm, free
* Guerrilla Girls
Watch out now, here come the Guerrilla Girls, your crazy-assed friends through Woman Power performance art. Tonight they perform, show a slideshow, and share their new book Bitches, Bimbos & Ballbreakers: The Guerrilla Girls' Illustrated Guide to Female Stereotypes. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free
* Kelly Campbell
A joint effort between the nonprofit September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and author David Partori produced Turning Our Grief Into Action for Peace, a compilation of inspirational stories from families of 9/11 victims. Campbell is a contributor to the book, and will discuss Peaceful Tomorrows and their mission. Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak, 274-1449, 7 pm, free
* Tim O'Brien
The master of Vietnam-era fiction blows through town to share from his newest, July, July, a depiction of former '60s radicals come together for their 30-year reunion. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free
Edward Bell & Andrew Joron
The Spare Room provides some poetry readings for your listening pleasure. Joron has a new book out called Fathom; Bell's very bio is poetic: "On reaching emancipation from the University, Edward published his murmurs rarely, reluctantly, and with some regret. He has learned his three R's, and hopes to mitigate them." Mountain Writers Center, 3624 SE Milwaukie, 236-4854, 7:30 pm, $5 suggested donation
Karol Griffin
Tattoo artist Griffin presents her tribute to the wild west: Skin Deep: Tattoos, the Disappearing West, Very Bad Men, and My Deep Love for Them All. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free
Army at Dawn
A narrative history of the war in North Africa from 1942-1943, brought to you by historian Rick Atkinson. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free
* Doug Rennie
Multnomah Library's sporadic Writers Talking series presents Rennie, author of the well-received short story collection Badlands. Rennie will discuss the craft of writing short stories. U.S. Bank meeting room, Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave, 988-5471, 7 pm, free
Karen Carbo & Cathi Hanauer
Hanauer's collection of testimonies from women on sex, marriage, motherhood and work has a cool title--Bitch in the House--but sounds generic to read next to Carbo's memoir, The Stuff of Life, in which the author helps her dying father through the final months of his life. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free
Moss Walk
Fun: Robin Wall Kimmerer reads from the new book Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, then leads a nature walk, in which you will become intimately acquainted with our green friend, the Moss. Audobon Society of Portland, 5151 NW Cornell Road, 292-6855, 2 pm
The Oath
A Chechen surgeon endures the Russian-Chechen war in Dr. Khassan Baiev's new book. Twenty-Third Avenue Books, 1015 NW 23rd Ave, 224-5097, 7:30 pm, free
